CAMHS!!

[lisad123]

So dd1 finally has an appointment with CAMHS. After just one phone call im begining to think i might regret going
I called to confirm appointment and asked if they felt there was any need for dd2 to come, as shes only 4 years old and also has autism.
The lady went and asked the doc who then said "well she could be part of the problem, so best bring her in"!! I mean WTH!
They have already made up their minds that dd1 anxiousness is a fault problem rather than an autism problem and it might be because of her sister
They have asked us all to attend and i can already see its going to be hell. They will try and talk to dd1, she will meltdown, they arent likely to get much out of her, they will then try and blame it on dh cancer, or my parenting and we will get no where.
I havent heard a good thing about CAMHS and Autism, and really dont want to mess dd1 up anymore than she already is :(

Please tell me someone has had a good experience? [begging emotion]

am so sorry to hear you are having such a tough time, hope dh is ok. We have only had the initial call with the Primary worker at our CAMHS, but the experience was lovely and he assured me that they do not look to apportion blame on any one for any issue they might find, and that there is never a right or wrong way to deal with a situation. It sounds like who you spoke to was in the wrong job, or just having a really bad day, or is just an insensitive sod!! They will want to see the whole family to see interaction, not because it is your fault.

Hope it all goes well

:( I would like to say they will assess and it will be hunky dory but it wont. And I am not saying it to make you worry I am saying it to make you be on your guard and what to expect so any personal questions dont come as a shock.

The full assessment I had initially was fine. Just the initial case worker assigned and a thorough question answer session. With requests for permision to view at school for a report and referral to multi team once all information has been gathered.

Second time round different story altogether. Questions were more personal, how do you get on as a family, how to siblings get on, anything traumatic happen recently that could effect DS. Do you think X could be causing issue, or do you think Y has stopped you getting close. Worst questions for me was the ones with "how do you feel about....." as I really wanted to say pissed off that you can possibly think that way but you cant. Its all personal stuff and it goes against the grain but if you are able to answer calmly and are prepared for it so much the better. Expect the worst and it wont seem so bad.

As for DD2 dont take her. You dont have to. Say she is too stressed out about coming and you wouldnt be able to have a convo with her there as it would be too distressing for HER due to her autism. Offer them to visit you at home should they wish to meet DD2 in her own surroundings where things would be more comfortable then you are able to call the shots and say meetings over kids are tired. :)

They never met my other children incidentaly so it is not compulsory.

Hi Lisa, have to say i was exactly same as you regarding cahms after reading so much bad about them, so i had no faith whatsoever. I couldnt have been more wrong. DS was referred for adhd though has lots problems. Initially a nurse came to house to assess ds (2 NT brothers were not there), she asked lots general questions though nothing i was uncomfortable with. Was sent letter to say on wait list to see psychologist (3months). However within this time ds changed dramatically, seems to be in pain, legs jerking, going away from him, limping and cant cope at school (normally cant cope when school on holiday etc). Anyway been to gp, hospital etc noone can say whats wrong had mri which was normal. Think neurosurgeon thinks all behavioural, i know its not. Phoned cahms as last resort, they met me in school week later, as soon as psychologist saw ds she was like whats wrong with his legs? im like yeah someone else sees what i do. she said cannot assess him mentally until he is ok physically. Demanded physio cam to see him immediately at his special school (was there within an hour), phoned hospital neuro to tell him what ds like, they have saw him again instead of writing him off. He's still no better off school 8 wks now, so stressed rubbing head constant now bald each side, all cut, weeping as are his hands. Only last in school 1 hour each day from last week when they went back before school phone me. Due to see cahms psychologist again on mon 23rd and i cant wait because noone else seems to be listening to me from school head, gp, docs at hospital.... she is my last and only hope. Think positive, be prepared as coff says. Hope all goes well.

I guess what worries me is previous service she was referred to stated "her levels of anxiousness is above and beyond a child with autism would normally have and so we feel it is more likely a mental health issue".
Shes 9 :(

Then Lisad I would argue the point that her anxiousness has excelled itself due to lack of help/intervention that you have been constantly asking for, and has perhaps excalated as a result of that.

On the other hand....HOW do they know the appropriate level of anxiousness each child with autism should have???? very odd.

Thing is they have to ask questions and they would be questioned themselves if they dont. Just keep that in your head.

Write down yourself what you THINK they are going to come up with and prepare yourself with an answer.

ie...OK DH is poorly. How has that been dealt with infront of the kiddies? Talked about? Have you got upset infront of them? Have other family members discussed things without thinking when the kids are there? (not me asking this just giving you an idea forming from personal stuff they asked me x)

Just think about what you think they would target then there will be less surprises iyswim :)

Gosh I think I will be more on guard as well then, my lovely rose tinted specs made me think all was lovely with CAMHS, I believed what they told me. Thank you for the warning cof33, fore warned and all that!

"her levels of anxiousness is above and beyond a child with autism would normally have and so we feel it is more likely a mental health issue".

This just shows their level of ignorance about autism.

Don't forget - CAMHS were dealing with children with mental health issues e.g. psychoses, neuroses, self-harming, anorexia etc, long before they started to deal with children that had 'conditions' such as autism. CAMHS are therefore more likely to attribute anxiety etc to MH issues rather than recognise it as a feature of a benign condition.

You can probably tell that I'm not a CAMHS fan. To paraphrase Life of Brian - what have CAMHS ever done for DS? Nothing.

CAMHS saved our family - no exaggeration. Every fight I've ever won and most of the improvements that have been made to my son's life have been because of our CAMHS psych. I don't think you can generalise, even within a local service - it depends who you get.

i'm so glad you've posted that WeWish

i was beginning to doubt my own perception of our experience with CAMHS - even the SENCO at DDs school has questioned me lately but i have to agree.

our CAMHS has been very supportive, informative and a great help to us so far - even the receptionist there had me wailing and crying and she was fabulous!

sorry that others have had worse experiences, but i think it's pot luck tbh. i was really wary of going in the 1st instance, but am more than happy to be continuing our assessment with them (so far)

Just wanted to post on the anxiety issue. Ds severe ASD was said by paed to be more anxious than any other autistic child she had ever seen. Eventually referred to child psych who diagnosed Bipolar mood disorder and gave ds risperidone which made an enormous difference to him and his general well being. I am not convinced he has said disorder; I think some children with ASD do have massive anxiety and some don't. I would go along with it but tred carefully. I have never been to CAMHS but has bad experience with child psychologist who came and did a home visit, observed ds banging on TV and blamed us for not being proactive enough toprevent it. Typically she had spent half an hour saying no whereas we had been doing it for three years!

Camhs I found to be a mixed bag. Useless in the way of follow up appointment and getting pushed from pillar to post with no straight answer. But had success finally with last appointment. They closed ds case and referred him to the school age autism team which really should have happened years ago.

In answer; dh has been sick for 3 years. She doesn't normally ask much about it and if you were to spend time with us you would know as his very well most of the time. She knows about it, how the cancer is dealt with and even has books on it. She doesn't see me upset about it, and no one really says much these days.
She knows she has autism and she's very self aware. She doesn't like feeling tense all the time
I will thread carefully I think. I think I might leave dd2 in school that day rather than upset her routines too. She's a handful and it will stress me out more.
I really would like to try cbt with dd1. With the state shes in right now we might consider medication but I'm not sure.

lisad you will get there xxxx

Should they come out with the first question you answer just like you did here and that will give them no room to ask any more as all the info is in there :)

They got to ask, its their job and like someone said they know more about MH than autism so they are trained to try and track down route cause (even if its bloody obvious there isnt one :)) before they even consider to believe it is something else.

I was told at camhs that DS certainly had a lot of traits and at times to her he was so rigid and met the triad but also told me had DS received a dx of ASD (complete balls up of assessment long story) they would no longer help as they are not trained to deal with it and how to help. That at least was an honest answer from a honest mental health nurse in my area. Hence why I am on second opinion route :)

Just go in and hold at the back of your mind "if you dont give me what I want for my child then I will go somewhere else"

I really cant see why they would not suggest cbt

I think your decision to leave dd2 at school makes sense. Its a first appointment and you will have time to talk and take in what is being said and assess THEM too. They cant come to an immediate decision on the same day anyway and no doubt another appointment will be needed. Its unfair to expect you to go into a meeting with two children to care for which will draw your attention. x

Hi we have had a good experience with CAMHS who assessed and diagnosed our ds at 5 with ASD they helped us for 6 months after then due to funding it was reduced greatly but recently helping again in getting my son statemented and with his anxiety. Good Luck